Bridging for flooring-joists



NITED I STATES PATENT rricn.

FREDERIO H. MOORE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRIDGING FOR FLOORING-JOISTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,900, datedSeptember 22, 1891.

Application filed April 13, 1891.

T0 alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIO H. MOORE, a citlzen of the United States,residing at Boston,1n the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridging forFloorlng-Jolsts, of which the following, taken'in connection with theaccompanying drawings, 1s a specification.

Bridging for flooring-joists as now employed somet1mes consists ofpieces of board or plank the exact length of the distance between the osts and of about the same width as the oists, which pieces are arrangedin a line and nailed to the joists; but the bridging most generallyemployed consists of pieces of timber about two inches square, the endsof which are cut at an angle, so as to abut against the sides of thejoists. Two of these pieces are arranged between each joist and are setso as to cross each other. If the ends of these pleces are not cut tothe proper angle, they do not have a fair bearing and the bridging 1sdefective.

The object of my invention is to produce metallic bridging which Will bemore efficient and easily applied.

The invention consists of bridging-pieces of metal, preferably ofwrought-iron, bent at the ends to the required angle and nicked, bent,or halved, so that they will interlock when placed diagonally betweenthe joists, the ends being provided with holes, so that they can benailed to the joists, as hereinafter fully described.

Figure l is a perspective viewshowing two joists and metallic bridgingembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of metallic bridging, andFig. 3 is a plan of same before they are placed together. Fig. at is aperspective view showing two joists and a modified form of bridging.Fig. 5 is a plan View of two parts before they are put together. Fig. 6is a view showing another modified form of bridging. Fig. 7 shows thetwo parts before they are placed in position. Fig. 8 is a detail view.

A A represent joists; B B, the metallic bridging. I prefer to make thebridging of flat wrought-iron, bent at each end to fit against thejoists, as shown at b, and in the center on one side of each piece isformed a nick 0, so that when the two pieces are adj usted together theywill interlock one with the other, as best seen in Fig. 1. The ends 1)Serial No. 388 780. (No model.)

are each formed with holes, preferably two, through which the nails areinserted to secure them to the joists.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown metallic bridging formed of round ironbars B B. In this case the ends I) are flattened and bent to therequired angle to fit against the joist, and the bars are at theircenter bent to a half-round, as shown at 0, so that when they areadjusted in place they will be firmly locked together.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a modified form of flat metal. Thisconsists of two pieces B B each bent to a V shape, and having their endsI) bent to the required angle to abut against the joist. The piece B atits apex is formed with a small V-shaped recess 0 to receive the apex ofthe piece B so that when adjusted as shown in Fig. 6 the two pieces aresecurely locked together.

If it is desired to employ a flat plate of very light material, a ribmay be struck up in the center of the bar to give additional strength,as shown at d in Fig. 8, which is a view of one end of the bar.

Bridging thus constructed will be more effectual and permanent than theWooden pieces usually employed, and there is a great saving of time andlabor in applying them.

By the employment of my improved metallic bridging, should there be, asis often the case in practice, a slight difference of width between thedifferent joists, the metallic bridging can be sprung so as to expand orcontract, as the case may require, and when interlocking pieces areemployed the joist between the two pieces forms a fulcrum for theexpanding or contracting of the said pieces. Of course various sizeswould be required for joists of different depths and distances apart.

What I claim as my invention is- Bridging for flooring-j oist,consisting of two pieces of metal having their ends bent to abut againstthe joists and interlocking one with the other at their center,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 4th day of April, A. D.1891.

FREDERIO H. MOORE.

W'itnesses:

CHAS. STEERE, EDWIN PLANTA.

